{"id":2643,"date":"2026-09-23T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T11:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=2643"},"modified":"2026-09-23T09:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:00:02","slug":"ocon-declares-himself-free-agent-as-haas-exit-moves-closer-for-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/ocon-declares-himself-free-agent-as-haas-exit-moves-closer-for-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Ocon declares himself \u201cfree agent\u201d as Haas exit moves closer for 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Esteban Ocon has confirmed that he is a free agent for the 2027 Formula 1 season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Haas has evaluated several candidates but is increasingly expected to replace the Frenchman.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rafael C\u00e2mara is reportedly leading Leonardo Fornaroli, Ry\u014d Hirakawa and Jack Doohan in the race for the seat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Esteban Ocon has offered the clearest indication yet that his time with Haas could end after the 2026 season, confirming that he is a free agent and discussing options for next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haas has not formally announced its 2027 driver line-up. Oliver Bearman is expected to remain, leaving Ocon\u2019s seat as the final major uncertainty in the <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1 driver market<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes, at the moment I am definitely a free agent for next year,\u201d Ocon said ahead of the Azerbaijan GP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere are things in discussion that are out of my control and certain topics that are out of my control. I will keep pushing until the end of the year and see how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked directly whether remaining with Haas was still possible, Ocon replied only: \u201cLet\u2019s see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The language is significant. Ocon joined Haas on what was initially announced as a multi-year agreement, but his admission confirms that the team has no binding commitment to retain him for 2027\u2014or that an option required to extend the partnership has not been exercised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reports from <em>The Race<\/em> indicate that Haas is now expected to replace Ocon. The team has used its Testing of Previous Cars programme to compare several candidates, including Rafael C\u00e2mara, Leonardo Fornaroli and Ry\u014d Hirakawa. Former Alpine driver Jack Doohan is also under consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rafael-Camara-F2-2026-Silverstone-Inglaterra-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1020308968\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rafael-Camara-F2-2026-Silverstone-Inglaterra-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rafael-Camara-F2-2026-Silverstone-Inglaterra-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rafael-Camara-F2-2026-Silverstone-Inglaterra-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rafael-Camara-F2-2026-Silverstone-Inglaterra-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rafael-Camara-F2-2026-Silverstone-Inglaterra-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rafael-Camara-F2-2026-Silverstone-Inglaterra-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">C\u00e2mara leads race for 2027 Haas seat (Photo: F2)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">C\u00e2mara becomes favourite for Haas seat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C\u00e2mara currently appears to hold the advantage. The Ferrari Academy driver impressed during a private test at Portim\u00e3o and reportedly gained the support of team owner Gene Haas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> has already detailed how <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/gene-haas-backing-reportedly-puts-camara-in-pole-position-for-2027-f1-seat\/\">Gene Haas\u2019s backing placed C\u00e2mara in pole position for the 2027 seat<\/a>, although no final agreement has been announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferrari is actively supporting C\u00e2mara\u2019s promotion through financial backing and an extensive testing programme. The Brazilian has driven the SF-25 at the Hungaroring, Barcelona, Mugello and Imola while preparing for the demands of Formula 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His sporting case has also strengthened during the Formula 2 season. C\u00e2mara arrives in Azerbaijan only 7 points behind championship leader Nikola Tsolov, with <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f2\/camara-is-7-points-behind-tsolov-what-does-he-need-to-take-f2-lead-in-baku\/\">Baku\u2019s expanded F2 programme giving him an opportunity to take the championship lead<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fornaroli remains a serious alternative after winning the 2025 F2 title, while Hirakawa brings substantial experience and the support of Haas partner Toyota. Doohan offers previous F1 race experience but has yet to complete his planned evaluation with the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Team principal Ayao Komatsu recently said Haas had \u201cmaybe five\u201d candidates, including Ocon. The Frenchman\u2019s latest comments, however, suggest the selection process has advanced without giving him any certainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ocon defends performances amid Haas problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ocon insisted that his own performance has not been the reason for the uncertainty. He argued that recurring problems with the Haas car have limited his results during 2026, particularly when its behaviour has varied between sessions and race weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s reassuring that I\u2019m doing a good job,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously, my performance hasn\u2019t been an issue this year. I\u2019ve performed every time I had the car.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ocon highlighted his points finish in Monaco and said he was close to scoring again in Madrid. Haas has investigated whether the inconsistent performance is related to the car\u2019s aerodynamic sensitivity or quality-control problems affecting individual components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEverybody in the team has been following that very closely and trying to fix the problem,\u201d Ocon added. \u201cWe haven\u2019t been hiding from it, but it has been quite disappointing at times to have these kinds of problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ocon has been driving in Formula 1 full-time since 2017 and has represented Force India, Renault, Alpine and Haas. He won the 2021 Hungarian GP and has recorded four podium finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haas has not set a public date for confirming its 2027 pairing. Ocon will continue alongside Bearman at the Azerbaijan GP, which takes place from 24\u201326 September, with the race held on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">F1 today: FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race takes place on Saturday, September 26, because Sunday is Azerbaijan\u2019s Remembrance Day. The entire programme was moved forward, with practice on Thursday and qualifying on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix start?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Azerbaijan GP starts at <strong>12:00 UK, 07:00 ET and 15:00 local time<\/strong> on Saturday. It will run for 51 laps around the 6.003km Baku City Circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 championship in Azerbaijan?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Antonelli arrives in Baku with an <strong>81-point lead over George Russell<\/strong>, making him mathematically capable of securing the championship. To become champion, he must leave Azerbaijan at least <strong>75 points ahead<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His departure has not been officially confirmed, but Ocon has declared himself a free agent and reports indicate Haas is preparing to replace him for 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Esteban Ocon confirms talks over his future are under way, while Rafael C\u00e2mara emerges as the reported favourite to partner Oliver Bearman next season<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020314173,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Haas exit moves closer as Ocon admits 2027 future is out of his control","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Haas","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[375,244,67],"42wp_author":[75],"class_list":["post-2643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-esteban-ocon","tag-haas","tag-rafael-camara","42wp_author-pedro-henrique-marum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2643"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2644,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2643\/revisions\/2644"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020314173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2643"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=2643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}